54521439
submission
smaxp writes:
Smartphone maker competition shifted from hardware to user interfaces (UI) and design because faster hardware isn't a significant differentiator. And nowhere did this competition pick up more than in the Android world, different handset makers battled to differentiate their products from others in the Android ecosystem. Here are the 10 best Android phones released in 2013.
54474525
submission
smaxp writes:
As the statute of limitations on the fraud committed during the financial crisis is about to expire with few indictments US District Court Judge Jed Rakoff explains why.
According to Rakoff "I suggest that this is not the best way to proceed. Although it is supposedly justified because it prevents future crimes, I suggest that the future deterrent value of successfully prosecuting individuals far outweighs the prophylactic benefits of imposing internal compliance measures that are often little more than window-dressing. Just going after the company is also both technically and morally suspect."
54473019
submission
smaxp writes:
AppOps is important because some developers aggressively require unnecessary permissions that can be used to misappropriate personal information. Galand cited in an email the Brightest Flashlight app as an aggressive use of unnecessary Android permissions. Brightest Flashlight lets a user use the camera’s flash LED as a flashlight. But this app requires the user to allow the developer, Golden Shores Technology, access to location, phone call logs and full network access that are obviously unnecessary for a flashlight app. Ironically, many users accept these permissions; Brightest Flashlight has been downloaded 50 million times and has a five-star rating from over 1 million users
54450545
submission
smaxp writes:
AppOps is important because some developers aggressively require unnecessary permissions that can be used to misappropriate personal information. Galand cited in an email the Brightest Flashlight app as an aggressive use of unnecessary Android permissions. Brightest Flashlight lets a user use the camera’s flash LED as a flashlight. But this app requires the user to allow the developer, Golden Shores Technology, access to location, phone call logs and full network access that are obviously unnecessary for a flashlight app. Ironically, many users accept these permissions; Brightest Flashlight has been downloaded 50 million times and has a five-star rating from over 1 million users.
54304527
submission
smaxp writes:
"Digital life" will decide who will win the mobile race, Richard Windsor, founder of Radio Free Mobile, concluded in an exclusive talk he gave at the Open Mobile Media Summit in San Francisco. Digital life is a measure of the amount of time mobile users spend engaged with a mobile internet ecosystem using services like Google, Apple, Yahoo and China’s Baidu. Windsor goes beyond most explanations of the mobile market’s commoditization by presenting a framework for understanding how mobile device manufacturers will respond.
54101895
submission
smaxp writes:
After a false start, I was able to evaluate the LG G2 Verizon version, and I liked it. The first attempt failed because I approached it the wrong way, like it was a stock Android phone, and there is too much that is different about the G2. Not bad, just different. Resetting the G2 to factory settings, starting over and letting its help tips lead me exposed a lot about this smartphone.
53905413
submission
smaxp writes:
IDC forecasts the tablet growth tsunami will calm to single digits in 2017. A good reason for that could be improvements in computer-human interaction, which will make mobile devices with larger screens less vital.
53330139
submission
smaxp writes:
Microsoft is mobile device agnostic in its enterprise and SaaS strategy to deliver mobile device management (MDM) to Windows 8.1, Android and iOS.
53181919
submission
smaxp writes:
HBO GO on Chromecast, just announced today, expands the definition of TV everywhere as a platform. If you were waiting to buy live episodes of "Boardwalk Empire" for a nominal price per episode, you’ll still have to wait. A premium cable subscription is still required for HBO GO with Chomecast.
52887899
submission
smaxp writes:
The rumors that the Google Nexus 5 will operate on Verizon are likely true. That’s because there is no technical reason why the Nexus 5 wouldn’t work on the Verizon Wireless network, or any place else in the world. The Nexus 5 has a Qualcomm WTR1605L transceiver used to connect to carrier networks. It is a multimode/multiband device that supports all the carrier networks in the world.
52855235
submission
smaxp writes:
With SELinux policies and dm-verity Google has further hardened Android — A secure Android smartphone can be built on a chain of trust — is this a business for Motorola?
52734741
submission
colinneagle writes:
Two security features in Android 4.4 KitKat are particularly notable because they are Linux kernel developments. Security-enhanced Linux (SELinux) policies are fully enabled in KitKat, and dm-verity was added. Both features improve the integrity and trust of the Android operating system.
This builds on Google's earlier work to tighten Android’s defenses against attackers, such as full-disk encryption (dm-crypt) added to Android 3.x and Address Space Layout Randomization (ADLR) and Data Execution Protection (DEP) in Android 4.1.
SELinux policies that were first tested in Jelly Bean are fully enabled in KitKat. A policy limits a program’s use of files, privileges, resources and interaction with other apps and libraries. Consider, for example, an exploit that inserts malicious code into one of Android’s system functions that is designed to misappropriate user data and send it via the internet to the perpetrator. If the system function’s use of the internet is not configured as an SELinux policy, the exploit might run, but it will fail without internet access.
52733369
submission
smaxp writes:
Could hardened Android devices be a viable business for Google-owned Motorola?
With each new Android release, Google adds more security features to harden Android. Two security features in Android 4.4 KitKat are particularly notable because they are Linux kernel developments. Security-enhanced Linux (SELinux) policies are fully enabled in KitKat, and dm-verity was added. Both features improve the integrity and trust of the Android operating system.
This builds on Google's earlier work to tighten Android’s defenses against attackers, such as full-disk encryption (dm-crypt) added to Android 3.x and Address Space Layout Randomization (ADLR) and Data Execution Protection (DEP) in Android 4.1.
52550637
submission
smaxp writes:
For contrast, Google should have also announced a Nexus 1 to show the breadth of Android 4.4. The hypothetical Nexus 1 would contrast Android 4.4 running on a mass-market, low-cost processor such as the Qualcomm Snapdragon 200 with 512MB of memory, against the Nexus 5's powerful Snadragon 800 processor and 16GB of memory. The hypothetical Nexus 1 would not compete with the real Nexus 5, but it would show off an Android 4.4 device running smoothly on a sub $100 smartphone.
52513425
submission
smaxp writes:
A well designed smartwatch converts the user's intent into a gratifying experience. Though smartwatches are closely related to smartphones designing a smartwatch is a lot different because the regular annoyance of recharging a third device would hinder consumer adoption.
